Saheed Busari l5 hours ago

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The retired Brig.-Gen.l Mike Ndubisi-led executive Committee of the pan Ndokwa socio-cultural organisation, the Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU), has rendered its stewardship to the people of Ndokwa nation at Kwale the headquarters of Ndokwa West Local Government Area and the traditional headquarters of the Ukwani speaking people of Delta State, South-South Nigeria at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The event which was well attended by the high and mighty in Ndokwa nation from all walks of life attracted its illustrious sons and daughters.

The event received encomium as the  retired General reeled out the achievements of the Union since he took the mantle of the leadership some years ago.

The General who expressed gratitude to his Ndokwa people for the opportunity given him to serve, said the experience of his executives have been worthwhile owing to the supportive nature of the leaders and elders of Ndokwa nation who he described as reliably supportive of his administration.

According to the Ezionum, Ukwani-born President General, his leadership will sustain its tempo of achievements and up to the fullness of time and bequeath a dependable executives “on the good people of Ndokwa land.

“This year’s General Assembly with the theme: “Ndokwa: Today and Tomorrow” is aimed at self-assessment or self appraisal, if you like, of our current standing as an ethnic nation. It is pertinent that we interrogate our progress to wit: where we were yesterday, today, and where we expect to be tomorrow.

”This year’s meeting (brainstorming) will witness the account of our stewardship to Ndokwa nation by the current Exco, which is expected to give its scorecard for the over three (3) years in service of our people and detailed analysis of our handling of the affairs of our ethnic nationality.

“Recall that this Executive Council was inaugurated on February 13, 2021, which was when we took over from the Caretaker Committee that was set-up due to the inability/failure of the Chief Johnson Opone-led NNU administration to hold election before the expiration of its tenure in May 2020.

”This NNU Executive Council working together as a united team achieved the following modest strides:

“Presentation of Ndokwa Demands to the then Executive Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa CON. A courtesy visit was organized on June 16, 2021, to the State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

”Notable personalities in the three LGAs of Ndokwa nation, including our Royal Fathers, were mobilized for the visit.

”At that meeting, the following formed the nucleus of our demands: having our son/daughter as the Deputy Governor of Delta State, the appointment of our sons and daughters into key government positions such as MD of DESOPADEC, heads of tertiary institutions, state specialist hospitals, and judges of Delta State High Court, completion of the Beneku bridge and other developmental projects.

”Thankfully, our request was heeded to by the then Governor with the election of our very industrious and generous son, His Excellency, Sir Monday  Onyeme, as Deputy Governor of Delta State, appointment of Professors Emmanuel Achuenu as Rector Delta state Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku and Neku Okolugbo as Chief Medical Director, Delta State Teaching Hospital Oghara respectively, and Chief Festus Ochonogor as MD DESOPADEC. For this, the Ndokwa Nation is grateful, and we appeal passionately to our sons, thus appointed to use their good offices to facilitate massive development to Ndokwa nation and our people.

“Sadly though, our efforts at increasing the number of judges of Ndokwa extraction has not yet yielded results due to a combination of factors, however, it remains in the front burner of our engagements with the government.

“The success of the Ndokwa House is evidenced by our presence in this location. Recall that I made the building of an Ndokwa House a campaign promise and priority landmark project during our tenure.

” After our inauguration, we took a holistic review of the project and made some necessary adjustments. First, we reckoned that the existing ten (10) plots for the project was not adequate for an Ndokwa House, hence we made all efforts to add another ten (10) plots to the existing one. This was to cost a whopping sum of N12,000,000.” Ndubisi stated.

The PG further stated that: “The entire NNU Executive Council and I, indeed, the Ndokwa Nation, remain eternally grateful to him for this landmark achievement.

” We are also grateful to the incumbent Governor, His Excellency, Rt Hon (Elder)  Sheriff Oborevwori, for continuing the project which is still ongoing and has briefly paused due to the rising cost of building materials.

”The contractor could not complete the project with the initially approved sum and has requested a variation. It is expected that the project will be completed before the end of our tenure in Feb 2025, God willing.

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“On a personal note, my sincere appreciation goes to those our elders, leaders, politicians and the business class who have given the NNU under my watch absolute support and through which support we have had the modest achievements we can point to today, you know yourselves. May Ndokwa land richly bless you.

“As you all know, our Executive Council was inaugurated on the 13th of February, 2021, which translates to the fact that our tenure will come to an end on 12th February 2025. I and my Executive Council are not unmindful of this and to avoid the pitfalls which have bedeviled previous successions, I assure all Ndokwa sons and daughters that very soon we will roll out the electoral committee to oversee the next elections which would be concluded by January 2025 for a smooth handover to the next NNU Leadership.

“As our administration winds down within the next one year, we hope to by God’s grace hand over a completed and functional Ndokwa Secretariat to the next administration.

“We hope to engage governments across tiers further to add more feathers to the progress made by these executives of the NNU under my watch.

“We hope to build and entrench peace and peaceful co-existence in our communities through our enlightenment and sensitisation campaigns.

“We hope to sustain our engagement with the state government to increase our youths’ participation in the training and empowerment programmes to build capacity and make our youths employable in the job market.” Gen. Ndubisi maintained, stressing that:

“As we go on, the NNU shall engage further the oil companies in our domain to be more supportive of our development strides, particularly engaging our youths favourably.

“A reminder to Ndokwa youths that the Nigerian military is currently employing graduates for the DSSC. We call on interested parties to apply without fear or trepidation because the NNU shall work with the Senator representing Delta North to ensure Ndokwa nation succeeds to enlist her own.

“A vibrant and functional national body shall we bequeathed on Ndokwa nation at the fullness of the time – so, help us.”